English Dictionary

Definition of “impute

impute (ɪmˈpjuːtPronunciation for impute

Definitions

verb (tr)

  1. to attribute or ascribe (something dishonest or dishonourable, esp a criminal offence) to a person
  2. to attribute to a source or cause  ⇒ I impute your success to nepotism 
  3. business to give (a notional value) to goods or services when the real value is unknown

Alternative Forms

ˌimpuˈtation noun imˈputative adjective imˈputer noun

Word Origin

C14: from Latin imputāre,  from im- + putāre to think, calculate

Synonyms

View thesaurus entry
= attribute, assign, ascribe, credit, refer, accredit, set down to lay at the door of

Usage examples

  • `In requesting a separate account," he intoned, `I don't wish to impute criticism of the Mistress of Tachnadray.
    Gash, Jonathan, The Tartan Ringers (1986)
  • This must always be borne in mind, and we should not impute malice or wickedness as a matter of course when we feel we are being victimized.
    Fortune, Dion, Psychic Self-Defence (1988)

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